Inspirational days out

· Give the kids a history lesson with a difference at one of English Heritage's Alternative Summer Schools. Events this week include learning to be a Norman warrior at Battle in East Sussex (next Saturday and Sunday), longbow lessons at Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire (Monday-Friday), training to be a knight or a princess at Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire (Monday-Friday), and a Roman festival at Birdoswald Fort, Cumbria (next Saturday and Sunday). For events throughout the summer holidays call 0870 333 1181; www.english-heritage.org.uk.

· The UK's biggest free music festival kicks off in Cardiff on Friday. The Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend promises three days of entertainment with Jimmy Cliff and the Magic Numbers, plus Britain's largest travelling funfair. Saturday afternoon sees the flamboyant MAS (masquerade) Carnival parade (www.cardifffestival.com).

· Join 'Rock Doc' Alasdair Bruce on a walk along Kent's Thanet Coast to learn about the chalk cliffs that represent 80 million years of history. The free walks start in Cliftonville at 11 am next Saturday, 18 August and 2 September and last one to two hours - booking essential (0870 264 6111; www.thanetcoast.org.uk).

· Get your bowling shoes on at London's Bloomsbury Lanes, Mondays to Wednesdays during August. A game costs just £3 (including shoes) between 12pm and 4pm (down from £4.50). Put the saving towards a Strike Burger - voted London's second-best burger by Time Out. (020 7183 1929; www.bloomsburybowling.com).

· Trot on down to Chester Races on 5 August and there'll be free kids' entertainment including magicians, gladiators and bouncy castles. A County Stand badge (£25) or Tattersalls ticket (£20) includes food and a drink (www.chester-races.co.uk).

· Got a head for heights? Try Top Adventures, a new obstacle course high in the trees in Snowdonia. Visitors must be over 4ft 3in tall and reasonably fit - but everyone's attached to a safety line and wears full body harness and helmet. A two-hour session costs £14 for under 18s and £18 for adults (www.ttadventure.co.uk).